“I realised I was experiencing something unique,” Joos Valgaeren | OneFootball

Former Celtic defender Joos Valgaeren has admitted that life took an unexpected turn after hanging up his boots – he’s since swapped football for a career in sewage management…

Photo imago/Miguelez Sports Foto Celtic Glasgow v. Porto Bobo Balde, Neil Lennon, Alan Thompson, Chris Sutton, Joos Valgaeren, Johan Mjällby, Didier Agathe, Stilian Petrov, Henrik Larsson, Robert Douglas

The ex-Belgian international – who earned 19 caps for his country – joined Celtic from Roda in a £4 million transfer under the stewardship of Martin O’Neill 25 years ago.

During his time at Celtic, he collected three league championships, three Scottish Cup triumphs, a League Cup medal, and featured in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final loss to Porto.

Valgaeren chose not to remain involved in football after hanging up his boots

Valgaeren will celebrate his 50th birthday next year, but unlike many of his old Celtic teammates and manager, he chose not to remain involved in football. He has disclosed that he has built a career as a specialist in sewage management.

27 August 2000: (L to R) Stilian Petrov of Celtic battles with Barry Ferguson and Billy Dodds of Rangers and Joos Valgaeren and Johan Mjallby of Celtic during the Celtic v Rangers Premier League match at Celtic Park which. Celtic won 6-2. Photo: Stu Forster/ALLSPORT

Speaking via Daily Record, Valgaeren said: “After I quit football, I studied to get a diploma as a certified land surveyor and I got a job at a company responsible for water purification.”

“It was a fantastic job that I did for 11 years, but I recently retrained as a sewer disconnection expert. We visit private individuals or organisations to see how we can improve their sewer systems.”

However, the former Celtic, Club Brugge and Mechelen defender – who hung up his boots at 34 – says he looks back on his Celtic days with fond memories.

“My wife and I loved living in Glasgow”

He said: “My wife and I loved living in Glasgow. It certainly helped that the club was flourishing at that time. Eighty per cent of your well-being is determined by sporting success. We lived in a beautiful flat in a great neighbourhood. My wife preferred to go south initially, but after her first visit to a Celtic home game, she was sold.”

Joos Valgaeren scores the opening goal for Celtic at Stranraer in the Scottish Cup in 2001. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

“During those Champions League campaigns with Celtic, I realised I was experiencing something unique”

“Lionel Messi once said he’d never experienced a better atmosphere than Celtic, although he didn’t really like the football itself! It was a dream, especially when you’re always winning, like at Celtic. Or playing memorable matches against Barcelona or Juventus. During those Champions League campaigns with Celtic, I realised I was experiencing something unique.”

Valgaeren added: “And I get that same feeling now when I find an Andres Iniesta or Xavier shirt in the attic. I’m still incredibly proud of playing for Belgium, but I did reach my limit there. When Luc Nilis kicked a ball, I saw a difference. With the national team, I had to be on my toes.”

Michael Owen of Liverpool tries to lift the ball over the head of Joos Valgaeren of Celtic during the UEFA Cup Quarter-Final second leg match held on March 20, 2003 at Anfield, in Celtic won the match 2-0, winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)

“Celtic weren’t exactly eager for me to be selected either”

“I wasn’t Vincent Kompany or Jan Vertonghen. Besides, at a certain point, the national team became more of a mission. Celtic weren’t exactly eager for me to be selected either,” he said.

“You’re always dealing with a lingering injury. And then you have to fly to Belgium on a Monday and from there travel to Bulgaria for an international match. And then back again later in the week.”

Damien Duff of Blackburn Rovers uses his pace to go past Joos Valgaeren of Celtic during the UEFA Cup second round second leg match held on November 14, 2002 at Ewood Park, in Blackburn, England. Celtic won the match 2-0, winning the tie 3-0 on aggregate. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Conor Spence

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